Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren on the issues

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On the long and grueling campaign trail for the past year, the candidates for US Senate presented their dramatically different political profiles, platforms, and priorities. With Election Day on Tuesday, here’s a thumbnail look at the policies embraced by Republican Senator Scott Brown, a Republican, and his challenger, Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat.

END Bush tax cuts for those earning more than $250,000 and return estate tax rates to 2009 levels. End subsidies for oil and gas and eliminate agriculture subsidies. Supports the Buffett Rule to require those making $1 million a year to pay at least a 30 percent tax rate. Trim waste and sell extra government property. Cut the defense budget and close loopholes for hedge fund managers. Opposes any changes to Medicare, including privatization or vouchers.

ABORTION

Scott Brown

SUPPORTS abortion rights and opposed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, but has been endorsed by a leading antiabortion group. Cosponsored Blunt Amendment that would let employers or insurers refuse to provide birth control or other preventive services they oppose on moral or religious grounds. Urged national Republican Party to cut antiabortion language from platform.

Elizabeth Warren

SUPPORTS abortion rights. Opposes the Blunt Amendment. Supports Massachusetts’ parental notification law, which requires girls under 18 to obtain parental consent before having an abortion, with an option for a judge to provide consent.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Scott Brown

SUPPORTS Obama’s timeline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by 2014. Wants to arm some of the rebels battling Syria’s brutal dictator. Supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but is adamant Jerusalem be the undivided capital of Israel.foreign affairs.

Elizabeth Warren

WANTS to accelerate Obama’s timeline and withdraw troops from Afghanistan “as quickly as possible, consistent with the safety of our troops.” Opposes sending US arms to Syrian rebels. Supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but does not outline conditions of an agreement.

ENVIRONMENT

Scott Brown

BELIEVES humans play a role in climate change. Opposes a cap-and-trade program to reduce carbon emissions. Opposed EPA regulation of greenhouse gases. Supports tax credits for renewable energy but not for specific companies. Opposes Cape Wind. Supports hydraulic fracturing to obtain natural gas. Backed regulation of pollutants such as mercury. Cosponsored a bill to reduce the risk of oil spills.

OPPOSES tax increases on businesses and individuals. Would repeal the taxes on medical devices in Obama’s health care law. Supports giving the unemployed the option of paid, on-the-job-training at private businesses. Would give small, female-owned businesses noncompetitive federal contracts in some circumstances and offer tax credits to firms that bring business back from overseas.

Elizabeth Warren

SUPPORTS creating jobs through public spending, including $50 billion to upgrade airports, air traffic control programs, roads, and transit; $30 billion to modernize 35,000 public schools; and $10 billion to expand high-speed wireless access to 98 percent of Americans. Supports $10 billion national infrastructure bank to leverage public and private money.